Alika Williams had four hits on Thursday night for Indianapolis.
Since being sent down for Nick Yorke, Williams is 8-for-14 at the Triple-A level. He’s hit at the Triple-A level over the last two years, but has yet to carry that offense to the majors. Williams had a .541 OPS in 87 at-bats this season in the big leagues, which was an improvement over his .518 OPS in 101 at-bats last year.
Williams put runners at first and second with a single in the first inning. The scoring chance he set up was cut short by a double play and a fly out. He led off the fifth inning with a single, then scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly by Jack Suwinski. The third hit of the game was a one out single in the seventh inning. The fourth hit led off the ninth inning with a single. In both cases, Williams was left stranded on the bases with Indianapolis losing 8-3.
This was the second multi-hit game for Williams since being sent down, after a three hit game in his first game back in Triple-A. There’s something to be said about being sent down, reporting immediately, and starting to hit like a Major Leaguer who wants back up to the big leagues.
During the same time, Yorke has gone 5-for-15 in his time with the Pirates, stealing two bases and driving in a run. There’s also something to be said about being called up and performing like a Major Leaguer who wants to stay in the big leagues.
Williams has received that opportunity over the last few years, following hitting in Triple-A. He’s yet to figure out how to consistently hit in the Majors. If he ever does that, he’ll be a Major League starter, at least fringe-average. The fact that Williams returned to Triple-A immediately and hit immediately and frequently is a great indication of the work ethic and attitude of someone who will continue to get future MLB chances.
TRIPLE-A: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
INDIANAPOLIS lost 8-3, despite the four hits from Alika Williams.
- DH Endy Rodriguez: 1-for-5, 2B
- 2B Tsung-Che Cheng: 1-for-2, 2 BB, RBI
- 3B Andres Alvarez: 1-for-5, RBI
- RF Matt Gorski: 1-for-3, BB
- C Jason Delay: 1-for-3, BB
Endy Rodriguez played his third full game in a row, this time taking a break from the field by serving as the designated hitter. He doubled Williams to third in the fifth inning, setting up the RBI by Suwinski. Tsung-Che Cheng reached base safely three times, with an RBI that scored the first run of the game for Indianapolis. He’s now 2-for-5 with three walks at the Triple-A level.
STATCAST HEROES
Hardest Hit: Alika Williams, 103.3 MPH, Single
Williams Singles: 103.3 MPH, 92.1 MPH, 89.1 MPH, 76.6 MPH
Bad Luck: Malcom Nunez hit four balls in excess of 92.6 MPH, but only had a hit on a 93.1 MPH single.
Close: One of the furthest hit balls of the game was a 331 flyout by Matt Gorski. He also had an 89.7 MPH single.
Sulser Breakdown: Beau Sulser allowed six runs in 4.2 innings, due to three home runs. He had six whiffs on nine swings against his changeup, which was his least-used pitch. His knuckle curve had two whiffs and five called strikes, and was his second-least used pitch. Those two were also his best pitches at generating strikes, with a 37% CSW for the curve and a 46% for the changeup. He led with a cutter and four-seam, with the cutter getting a 16% CSW and the four-seam getting a 14% CSW. The four-seam sits 89.3 MPH, touching 90.7.
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
- Triple-A: Indianapolis, 7:37 PM – RHP Domingo German (7-4, 5.07)
